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PCA Training Initiative A Finalist In HVR Awards

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Published: Wednesday, 26 September 2018 09:44

Vent-Axia is delighted that the national trade body, The Property Care Association (PCA), is a shortlisted in the HVR Awards. The PCA is a finalist within the Training Initiative of the Year category with its entry ‘Evaluating Ventilation in Existing Buildings’.

This new training programme aims to help develop the skills of surveyors involved with homes that could be affected by dampness resulting from inadequate ventilation. Vent-Axia is committed to promoting good ventilation and indoor air quality and so is thrilled the PCA training programme has been recognised.

‘Evaluating ventilation in existing buildings’ has been created to give professionals the skills and confidence to make informed evaluations of the ventilation in homes. This one-day course is aimed at those already involved in surveying buildings, who recognise that understanding the way buildings deal with airborne moisture is becoming as important as dampness in the walls.

Richard Williams, Director of Social Housing at Vent-Axia and one of the expert tutors on the course explains: “We are delighted that the PCA is a finalist within the HVR Awards with their training initiative. It is vital that professionals that undertake building surveys are able to assess ventilation in existing buildings. Not only can condensation and mould cause the need for costly redecoration but a growing body of evidence has identified the dangerous impact poor air quality is having on inhabitants’ health. It is therefore essential that this problem can be identified and action can be taken.”

Condensation and mould can cause costly damage to the fabric of the building, as well as causing poor indoor air quality which could result in health problems for households. A staggering 65% of homes in the UK suffer from poor IAQ as a result of inadequate ventilation. This is having a significant negative impact on the health of people in their homes with poor IAQ contributing towards many serious health problems such as asthma, lung cancer, strokes and cardiovascular disease.

The PCA ‘Evaluating Ventilation in Existing Buildings’ training programme aims to provide delegates with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and understand background infiltration and fixed ventilation, as well as the evaluation of the effectiveness of ventilation systems 1-4 as defined in approved document F of the building regulations. Students are also taught how to use their informed site observations to assess the risk and understand the implications of moisture related problems.

Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the Property Care Association, (PCA) said: “Condensation and mould is now the most common form of dampness in buildings. High fuel costs, insulation and draught-proofing compounded by the changing ways we occupy our homes have resulted in higher levels of indoor moisture.“Unfortunately, despite this, many homes still lack adequate provision for air exchange or have fans installed that fail to deal effectively with these changing internal conditions. The result is poor indoor air quality, dampness and mould.

“It is becoming essential for anyone who inspects buildings to understand the significant role that ventilation plays in delivering comfortable, healthy and safe homes. This new training course delivers the knowledge that surveyors must now have.”

According to the PCA, residential ventilation is critically important to tackle problems emerging in a new generation of humid homes, which the trade body’s members are increasingly encountering.

A number of factors are contributing to the rising trend, predominately linked with modern living – including increased levels of occupation and rising fuel costs, as well as a drive to make homes more energy efficient.The trade body also cites efforts to reduce air leakage through draught proofing and retrofit insulation, as well as the changing climate patterns – featuring warmer, wetter weather – as being of significance.

The HVR Awards recognises and rewards companies that demonstrate excellence in their field, outstanding technology or exceptional customer service and true innovation in the way that they operate or in what they produce. An HVR Award is an independent endorsement of a company’s achievements within the heating and ventilating industry. Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on Thursday 25th October at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel.